Chimpanzees are close human relatives inhabiting the tropical rain-forests, woodlands, and grasslands of Africa. These great apes share 98% of their DNA with humans, which is even closer than mountain gorillas. Both the Bonobo and common chimpanzees are endangered, with their numbers deteriorating compared to the early ’90s.
In this article, we learn about chimpanzee behavior – chimpanzee behavioral adaptations, chimpanzee social behavior, chimpanzee mating behavior and how Jane Goodall was able to closely observe chimpanzee behaviors.
Chimpanzees can weigh up to 70 kilograms in the wild and even more in captivity; females generally weigh less than males. The skin of chimpanzees darkens as they age, and unlike mountain gorillas, they do not have Silverbacks.
One of the most dangerous predators of chimpanzees is the leopard, as they also inhabit both land and trees. Humans, on the other hand, contribute to the decline of the chimpanzee population through encroachment on chimpanzee habitats, poaching for bush meat, and the pet trade. Chimpanzees are also threatened by diseases such as Ebola virus.
Different types of chimpanzees display different behaviors; some subspecies of chimpanzees exhibit distinct behaviors from others. Some of these behaviors can be observed below:
Chimpanzee Behavior
Chimpanzees are social animals that live in groups of 15 to 150 individuals, with a definite hierarchy dominated by a male known as the alpha male who leads the group. Chimpanzees are highly territorial and can become extremely aggressive if another group attempts to encroach on their territory. They mark their territories clearly.
Female chimpanzees typically leave their birth groups at adolescence, while males remain within their birth groups. The Bonobo species of chimpanzees is known to be less violent, aggressive, and rarely attacks. This species of chimpanzee is also known for its sexual receptiveness.
The common chimpanzee, on the other hand, is known for being aggressive, vicious, and dominant. This type of chimpanzee is also prone to attacking humans. One of the most common activities among chimpanzees is grooming, which involves cleaning themselves of dead skin and parasites.
Chimpanzees build their nests in the evening before dark, usually around 7 pm, using materials like leaves and tree branches. They use hand gestures, facial expressions, screams, and drumming tree buttresses to communicate with each other.
Chimpanzees can share food with one another and even cooperate during hunting for other animals. They shape sticks and use them to collect termites, ants, and insects from holes.
Chimpanzees are known to be highly intelligent animals. For example, they can learn human sign language. There was once a chimpanzee that communicated using over 250 signs to interact with humans.
For an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience in Africa, you can visit Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda or Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda. At Kibale Forest National Park, tourists also have the opportunity to witness chimpanzee habituation, a process where researchers work to acclimate chimpanzees to human presence so that they can be trekked by tourists. This process typically takes about two years.
